Cyberprotest in contemporary Russia: The cases of Ingushetiya.ru and Bakhmina.ru.

Abstract: We explore the possibilities of the Internet as a tool for supplying information necessary for the organization and mobilization of successful opposition movements, especially under non-democratic regimes. Examples of the roles the Internet plays in the political processes in Russia are discussed in detail. In particular, the recent cyberprotest cases of the Ingushetiya.ru website and the movement to release political prisoner Svetlana Bakhmina are investigated. Besides showing the Internet''s significant role in organizing modern protests, these cases also demonstrate that in environments where practically all traditional mass-media are under the authorities'' control, the Internet becomes the major source of alternative information. Our paper offers a look at how deploying technologies can bring about social change, even in some of the most difficult political environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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